Carton construction



E. C. PELLATON CARTON CONSTRUCTION Nov. 4, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed A ril 26, 1954 INVENTOR. ERNEST C FELL/TON 7 Filed A rii 26. 1954 Nov. 4, 1958 E. c. 'PELLATON CARTON CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 v mmvron 55 /8 4,4 fi rroR/vzys Nov; 4, 1958 E. c. PELLATON CARTON CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 26. 1954 INVENTOR. f/g/vzsr C PELLATO/V BY Nov. 4, 1958 Filed April 26, 1954 E. C. PELLATON CARTON CONSTRUCTION FIG. 10

9 Sheets-Sheet 4 I NVENTOR. ERA/E57- C PL'LLATON BY jytg W Nov. 1958 E. c. PELLATON CARTON CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 26, 1954 IN VEN TOR. E N557 6'. Pe'u ra/v 1 7 3 "11411111 n is \v um \Q RN N y N i 8 l I Q R NM R (L s u u am Kan m m. M m? w Nov; 4, 1958 EQ CJPELLATON CARTON CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 26 1354 Fla. [5

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INVENTOR. ERNEST CZ PELLATO/V BY A rroRmr/s Nov. 4, 1958 E. c. PELLATON 2, 3,

CARTON CONSTRUCTION Filed April 26. 1954 9 SheetsShe t 8 F/ 6. 7 i A 12.4 INVENTOR.

ERA/57 CI Pnzqrolv y/ y -r'gmdlw A rro /wn S Nov. 4, 1958 E. c. 'PELLATON 2,853,953

CARTON CONSTRUCTION Filed April 26, 1954 v 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG. 22

INVENTOR. E A/4'57 C. PauV'o/v United States Patent CARTON CONSTRUCTION Ernest C. Pellaton, Larkspur, Califi, assignor to Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application April 26, 1954, Serial No. 425,616

3 Claims. Cl. 229- 37 This invention relates to a new and useful polygonal container of an even number of more than four sides consistingof a carton and a cover, which can be readily made of flexible sheet material, preferably paperboard.

The present invention, more particularly stated, comprises'an open top regular carton which has the cross sectional shape of a regular hexagon, and a complementary shaped co'ver characterized by the fact that both may be fabricated in collapsed condition and in compact arrangement of the individual parts, and transported in collapsed conditionfrom the container factory to the site where the carton is to be filled. At the site the parts may be unfolded, and automatically the bottom of the carton and the sides of the cover assume their proper position. 1

One of the features of the invention is the fact that both the cover and the carton may be manufactured on conventional carton setting up and gluing machines, such as those of the well known International L-type, whereby the various folding, gluing and pressing operations are performed automatically as the blanks move first longitudirially and then transversely through the machine. The construction and versatility of the International L machine is well understood in the container manufacturing art, and no detailed description of the operation of the machine and its various interchangeable parts is set forth in the description of the invention, but it may be stated that in such machine blanks are inserted at one end and as they travel longitudinally of the machine on a moving belt various more or less conventional workperforming parts of the machine are brought into contact with the blank.

For example, gluing rolls may be positioned at various stations in the machine to apply glue to pro-selected areas of the blank. Further, flaps of the blank may be folded upwardly or downwardly. Inasmuch as some of the flaps may carry glue, the folding operations may gluetwo or more flaps together; and thereafter the machine is so designed as to hold the glued parts in contact until the glue has set. After proceeding through the machine in one direction, the blank is then moved at right angles to its original line of travel and additional gluing, folding and pressing operations may be performed until the collapsed cover or carton is discharged from the machine.

One of the important features of the instant invention is the fact that the construction of the carton and cover and the method of forming each of them is such that conventional setting up machines which have been heretofore briefly described, may be employed, which is a desirable feature with polygonal cartons of more than four sides, such as hexagonally shaped cartons and their covers.

Another important feature of the invention is the fact that the carton and the cover are each discharged from the machine in collapsed condition; and the collapsed carton and collapsed cover can then be transported in the condition in which they are discharged, and maintained in such condition until the time they are to be used.

Another feature of the carton is the fact that the bottom flaps which are hingedly connected to the side panels are folded inwardly of the collapsed carton thereby decreasing the amount of space occupied by a collapsed carton, and also protecting the flaps against damage during transportation and storage.

Another feature of the construction of the bottom of the carton is the fact, although the carton has more than four sides, its bottom flap construction is such that as the collapsed carton is pulled apart when it is about to be used, the bottom automatically forms itself into proper shape without the necessity of further gluing or interlocking of tabs and the like. This materially facilitates use of the carton.

An object and advantage of the construction of the cover is the fact that this part of the completed device likewise comprises inwardly folded side flaps when the cover is in collapsed condition, thereby decreasing the amount of space required for the collapsed cover and reducing the danger of injury to the flaps during transportation and storage. The construction of the cover is such that by simply unfolding the inwardly folded cover side flaps, the cover may be erected without the necessity of applying glue or interlocking tabs or other means.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a carton and cover installed thereon.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the completed container, the same being partially broken away in section and the bottom of the body being shown partially unfolded.

Fig. 3 is a plan of a blank from which the cover is formed.

Fig. 4 is a plan showing the completed cover in collapsed condition, with certain portions unfolded for purposes of illustration.

Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive, illustrate schematically steps in the method whereby the cover blank is fabricated in collapsed condition.

Fig. 11 is a plan of a body blank, the same being partially broken away to shorten the same.

Fig. 12 is a plan of a body in collapsed condition, the same being partially broken away and in section to illustrate the parts.

Figs. 13 to 19, inclusive, illustrate schematically steps of the method whereby the body blank is fabricated into collapsed form.

Figs. 20 to 24, inclusive, illustrate schematically the steps of a modified construction and method whereby the body blank is fabricated into collapsed form.

The completed container as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a regular hexagonally shaped carton body 30 having an open top, and a telescopic complementary hexagonally shaped cover 31 which fits over the upper edge of the carton. A regular complementary hexagonally shaped liner 32 may, if desired, be inserted at the bottom of carton 30 to reenforce the same and reduce the likelihood of leakage, but is not essential.

The three parts, namely, the carton 30, liner 32 and cover 31 are individually fabricated but are inter-related insofar as the completed container is concerned. It will be understood that at the site of filling, the collapsed carton 30 is erected, the body automatically assuming its proper position, the liner 32, if used, is inserted in the bottom of the body, the carton is filled with contents such as ice cream; and after filling the cover 31 is erected and telescopically placed over the open top of the body.

Cover The blank from which the cover is made is shown in Fig. 3. This blank is cut from paperboard stock by a conventional machine, the details of the blanking operations' forming no part of this invention.- It will be understood that the blank is cut to proper shape and certain cuts and fold or score lines are formed on the blank, as is well understood in this art. The blank is then passed through the setting up and gluing machine, and a collapsed cover as shown in Fig. 4 is produced, the details by which the collapsed cover is fabricated being hereinafter set forth in greater detail. The collapsed cover is then erected at the site in the shape shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The blank shown particularly in Fig. 3 comprises a regular hexagonal center or cover panel 36, this panel being of the required dimensions to fit over the carton body 30 with which it is associated. Hingedly connected to each side edge of cover panel 36 is a side flap, there being six of said side flaps in number. Alternate flaps 37 are substantially rectangular and are separated from the cover panel by means of fold lines 38. The other three intervening flaps 39 are substantially identical and are of irregular shape. Their inner edges are defined by fold lines 41 separating the flaps 39 from the cover panel 36; and six slits 42 separate flaps 39 from the adjacent rectangular fiaps 37.

To facilitate setting up of the cover, inwardly directed V-shaped cut-outs or notches 43 are formed at the center outer margin or free edge of each of flaps 39. A pair of fold lines 44 extending perpendicular to fold line 41 of each flap 39, from the points or cover corners 46 at the intersections of fold lines 41 and 38, project out to the free edge, thus forming hingedly connected extensions 46 on each flap 39 adapted to be secured to the adjacent flaps 37. A pair of oblique fold lines 47 on each flap 39, which converge inwardly at an angle of 30 from the fold line 41, extend from points 46 to a position adjacent the apex of notch 43. These oblique fold lines 47 form a triangularly shaped central portion on each flap which is hingedly connected to outer portions or tips 49 beyond such lines 47.

Preferably, to facilitate subsequent folding operations, the grain of the paperboard of which the cover blanks are formed, extends perpendicular to one of the fold lines 41, as is indicated by arrow D; a notch N being preferably formed in the edge of one of flaps 39 to indicate the grain direction.

Formation of collapsed cover The steps in the fabrication of the blank shown in Fig. 3 into the collapsed cover shown in Fig. 4 are illustrated more or less schematicaly in Figs. to 10, inclusive. The various parts of the International L machine on which the cover is preferably fabricated are not shown in detail in Figs. 5 to 10, inasmuch as the construction thereof is well known to those skilled in the container fabricating art. Only such parts as aid in understanding the method by which the cover is fabricated are illustrated.

Fig. 5 illustrates two steps of the method by which the cover is fabricated. The blank is placed on a moving belt 51 which moves to the right as viewed in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, one of the irregular flaps 39 being positioned foremost-in leading position. The first of the steps shown in Fig. 5 is the folding inwardly of the outer portions or tips 49 of the leading flap 39 along oblique lines 47, the folding instrumentality being indicated generally as 52. Notch 43 facilitates this folding operation, and also unimpeded movement of the carton past a conventional hold down bar (not shown). Once thus folded inwardly the outer tips 49 of leading flap 39 are held in position until the cover is completed.

The second step illustrated in Fig. 5 is the application of patches 53 of glue at predetermined locations on the inside faces of the two leading rectangular flaps 37. The shape of these irregular patches 53 is determined by the shape of the glue pads 54 affixed to the periphery of revolving glue wheels 56, the pads being of such shape as properly to apply glue to the rectangular flaps 37.

Thus, each glue patch 53 is located adjacent an outer corner of each rectangular flap 37. It is applied in a pattern complementary in shape to that of the end extensions 46' on flaps 39, and extends inwardly from out 42 to margins 57 and 58 thereof. It will be understood that the location of wheels 56 in Fig. 5 is schematic in that they actually are above the blank, and toward the left to apply the glue as the blank moves under them while the blank is moving.

Fig. 6 illustrates the next folding operation whereby the leading tips 49a of each of the remaining irregular shaped flaps 39 adjacent flaps 37 to which glue has been applied, are folded inwardly along oblique lines 47 to assume the position shown in Fig. 6. The folding instrumentalities are indicated generally as 61.

Fig. 7 illustrates the third folding operation, namely,

the inward folding of the trailing tips 49b of the two remaining irregular shaped flaps 39 along lines 47, so that the blank assumes the shape shown in Fig. 7. The folding instrumentality is indicated generally as 63.

Fig. 8 illustrates the next station beyond Fig. 7; and at this station the two leading rectangular flaps 37 to which glue was previously applied, are folded inwardly on lines 38, the glue patches 53 on the underside of rectangular flaps 37 causing adherence of such flaps 37 to the underlying tips 49 of leading irregular flap 39, and to the leading tips 4% of the trailing irregular flaps 39.

Between Figs. 8 and 9 the blank changes its direction of movement through the machine at right angles, and is moved on belt 64 instead of belt 51.

At Fig. 9, glue patches 66, similar in shape to patches 53, are appliedvby means of glue wheel 67 to the corners of the previously trailing rectangular flap 37.

Fig. 10 illustrates the last folding operation on the cover, namely, the inward folding on line 38 of such trailing rectangular flap 37 by belts 68, the glue patches 66 on the underside of flap 37 adhering to the underlying corners of inwardly folded tips 4% of the adjacent irregular shaped flaps 39. The collapsed cover shown after the completion of the operation, as illustrated in Fig. 10, is thus the same as the collapsed cover shown in Fig. 4.

Collapsed cover and erection In blank form, all of flaps 37 and 39 lie in the plane of cover panel 36, but in the collapsed cover, shownin Fig. 4, all of the flaps are folded. The irregular shaped.

flaps 39 are each folded inwardly along oblique fold lines 47, so that the central portion of each between such. oblique lines 47 still lies in the plane of the cover panel. However, each of the portions of the inwardly extending tips 49, 49a, 49b of the irregular shaped flaps 39, between fold lines 44 and 47 overlies such central portion and the cover panel; and each end extension 46 overlies the cover panel. The end extensions 46' are covered by and secured to the undersides of rectangular flaps 37 which also overlie the cover panel 36.

When it is desired to erect the cover 31, rectangular flaps 37 may be unfolded outwardly on lines 38, to a position at right angles to the center panel 36. This causes the tips 49, 49a, 49b of the irregular shaped flaps 39 to unfold automatically along fold lines 47 to a position at right angles to panel 36; there likewise being an inward folding movement of the central portion of flaps 39 between oblique fold lines 47, along fold lines 41, and also an inward folding along lines 44 to form the corners of the cover.

Body

The blank for the carton body is illustrated in Fig. 11, and is hereinafter described in detail. After the completion of the steps of the fabrication of the body as disclosed schematically in Figs. 13 to 19, inclusive, the

flaps folded inwardly and concealed so that the'y are not subject to damage during transportation and storage: Also, each side of the collapsed carton consists fof th'ree hingedly connected walls, comprising a pair ofiopposite central walls, and twozpairs; of opposite end'walls.

The blankfor the carton 30, illustrated in detail in i Fig. 1 1, is formedofa heavier grade-of .paperboard than the cover 31 inasmuch asritxis subjected to considerably greater stress in normal usage. For the hexagonal carton illustrated herein, six rectangular body :pane'ls 71 76 are provided, hingedly-connected by fold lines 77, and which form the side walls of-the carton. On one of the endmost body panels76 is .a narrow 'glue flap 78 hingedly connected to panel 76 by fold line 79, and which in assembled condition is glued to the outer edge of opposite panel 71. The lower edge 81 'of the glue 'flap may be slightly bevelled to facilitate fabrication. Along the top edge of the blank are six substantially rectangular top reenforcing flaps 82 hingedly connected to t'he'bodyp'anels by the transverse, "broken, .perforate'd fold lines 83. The endmost top flap 82a above :panel This notched'out, as indicated by reference numeral84, so as to eliminate unnecessary multiple thicknesses of material at theilap when the carton is assembled. The individual top flaps 82 are separated from one another by inwardly. extending slits 86 which extend from'theftop margin to line 83.

Along the edge of the blank, opposite the top reenforcing flaps 82, are the bottom flaps 87 92R-which are likewise six in numben, "and lie iii the plane of the carton side walls in blank form. The bottom Zflaps arehingedly connected to their corresponding body panels by transverse fold lines 93. a

"One of the bottom fiap's 87,. the Eleft endmost flap as shown in Fig. 11, which is connected to panel 71, is substantially rectangular with an outer end extension 94. hingedly connected on the flapalong broken,.perforated fold line 96. The flap 90, connected with ,panel 74, is,

in the completed carton, directly opposite flap 87, and is of the same shape as fia'p 87 -'except.that the fold tline 96 is eliminated. It will be understood that flaps90 and 87 are at directly opposite sides of and glued together in the erected carton, and that the walls 71 and 74 to which they are hingedly connected are Eparallel'in the erected carton.

Adjacent flaps 88 and 89 interposed between flaps 87 and 90, are substantially complementary in shape. The two flaps 88 and 89 are separated from each other by an inwardly extending triangular cut-out or notch :97 which has a rounded point 98, and which-extends inwardly toward fold line 93, but is spaced therefrom so that when the completed carton is folded, there is a slight amount of material between point 98 and line 93 which is folded together to decrease likelihood of leakage rat the joints;

Flap 88 is separated from flap 87 by inwardly extending triangular notch 99 having a rounded point 1-01 which is likewise separated from score line 93. Flap 89 is separated from flap 9G by triangular notch 102 corn-plernem.

tary to notch 99. Theedges 103 and'104 of the flaps 88 and 89, respectively, adjacent flaps 87 and 90, slant with reference to fold line 77. -Flap 88 is provided with an obliquely disposed broken perforated fold line 106 which extends down from the corner 98 at which notch 97 and fold line 93 meet. Theends of flaps 88 and 89 are truncated as indicated by reference numerals 107 and 108.

Flap 92 is similar in shae to flap 88, and flap 91 is similar in shape to flap 89. Corresponding reference numerals have, therefore, been placed on flaps 91 and 92 and their associated elements.

Formation of collapsed carton The first steps in the fabrication of the carton are shown in Fig. 13, the blank being moved toward the right by belt 111. Prel-inii-narily the undersides of top reenforcing flaps- 82- are glued by means of glue roller 112; and the top flaps 82 are then foldedback to underlie panels '71'--76, as shown in Fig. 13, and pressed in positionby' hold-down belt 113. At the same time, end extension 94 o'fflap 87 is -pre-brokei1 alon'g fold line 96, by folding the extension 94 down by grooved bar 114.

Fig. 14 illustrates schematically the next folding operation, namely, the downward folding of triangular portion 116 of flap 91 along oblique fold line 106, to lie a atnst the underside of flap 91. This operation is performed by an oscillator attachment 117 on a conventiona1 Enter-national L machine which completes the fold.

Fig. 15 illustrates inward downward folding of the triangular foldable portion 118 of flap 88 along oblique rename 106. This fold is likewise accomplishedby an oscillator 1 19 of the type-of oscillator 117. At the same time, exten ion 94 is folded under alon line 96. Presser 121 holds the underfolded parts in position.

Fig. 16 illustrates "the commencement of the operation which-folds upwardlyfalong fold line 93 all of the bottorn fia' 's so that the fiaps assume the position shown in Fig. '17. Conventional folding elements 122124 perform this operation as the blank moves.

The direction of movement "of the blank changes between Figs. 16 and 17, through-a angle. The blank is now carried by belt 126.

Fig. -17 illustrates the application of glue patches 128- 131 to parts 94, 89, 90 and 116, respectively, and glue patch 132m the glue flap 78. The pattern of application of glue as shown in Fig. 17 may vary as the glue-application is merely to provide for adhesive union of adjacent flaps 88 and 89, adjacent flaps 91 and 92, flaps 87 and 90, and fla 78 and panel 71.

As shown in Fig. 17, glue is applied to the exposed portion of triangular hinged extremity 116 of flap 91, almost the entire surface of the extremity being coated with'glue patc h 131. Glue patch is applied to a p'ortionof flap 90 in a trapezoidal pattern, similar in shape to one half of the exposed down-turned end extension 94 of flap 87. 'It will be noted that the patch 130 on flap 90 is spaced downwardly from the up er edge and is horizon'tally in line with flap 94 s'othat when, as subsequent ly illustrated in Fig. 18, 'th'efbla'nk is folded along line 77 between panels 72 and 73, glue patch 130 will engage the portion of flap 94 to 'which glue is not applied. Glue patch 129 is applied to flap 89 in a triangular pattern of a shape somewhat sinnlar to the exposed downturned triangular extremity 118 'of fla 8'8'so that extremit'y 118 is glued to flap 89, at the location indicated.

Glue patch 128 is also applied to end extension 94 ofto overlie the adjacent pair of panels '73 and 74. This causes hinged flap '94 to become glued to flap 90, and

hinged portion 118 of flap 88 to become glued to flap 89.

Fig. 19 illustrates the last folding operation whereby the blank is folded upwardly, and then downwardly along score line 77 between panels 575 and 76, so that panel 76' is caused to overlie panel 75. "Glue flap 78 is thus adhered to the marginal edge of panel 71, and hinged portion 116 of flap 91 to flap 92. The folding and holding instrumentalities are indicated schematically as 137 and 138, respectively. I

Collapsed carton and erection The collapsed body which results from the series of operations illustrated in Figs. 13 to 19, inclusive, is shown 7 in Fig. 12. It will be seen that a substantially rectangular, relatively thin packet is formed with all of the bottom flaps folded inwardly and concealed between the side walls o'f the carton, so that they are not likely to be damaged during transportation and handling.

When it is desired to erect the carton, this can be readily done by simultaneously pushing inwardly the end edges of the collapsed carton appearing in Fig. 12. This causes bottom flaps 8792 to bend downwardly along score line 93, and at the same time end extension 94 of flap 87 to bend along score line 96. Also, triangular portion 118 of flap 88 which is secured to adjacent flap 89, and triangular portion 116 of flap 91 which is secured to adjacent flap 92 will automatically unhinge along the respective oblique score lines 106, the carton assuming a position where the flaps extend out perpendicular to the body panels.

In this connection, it will be noted from Figs. 2, l1 and 12, that the arrangement of the bottom flaps is such that in the set up carton, flaps 88 and 89 are on one pair or set of adjacent carton body walls 72 and 73 with the hinged portion 118 of flap 88 secured to the underside of flap 89; and flaps 91 and 92 are on an opposite pair or set of adjacent carton body walls 75 and 76 with the hinged extension 116 of flap 91 likewise secured to the underside of flap 92. Each set of walls 72 and 73, and 75 and 76 is between opposite parallel Walls 71 and 74.

The adhesively secured pairs of opposite flaps 88 and 89, and 91 and 92, overlie the adhesively secured pair of flaps 87 and 90 which are on the intervening directly opposite parallel walls 71 and 74, but are not secured to these flaps 87 and 90; the hinged end extension 94 of flap 87 being secured to the underside of flap 90. Also, glue flap 78 is secured to the outside face of wall 71.

AlsO, it will be noted that in the collapsed state of the carton, edge 103 of flap 92 alines with edge 104 of flap 91; and likewise edge 103 of flap 88 alines with edge 104 of flap 89. As a result of the previously mentioned notches or cut-outs 97, 99 and 102, gaps G (Fig. 12) exist between secured flaps 88 and 89, and secured flaps 87 and 90, and likewise between secured flaps 91 and 92 and flaps 87 and 90. Because of these gaps, it will be noted that when the carton is opened from the collapsed state shown in Fig. 12, the surfaces of flaps 87 and 90 along their side edges will first become exposed over the resultant bottom opening, so that the flaps 88 and 89, and 91 and 92 will automatically unfold over fiaps 87 and 90 to obviate interference.

Furthermore, because diametrically opposite flaps 87 and 90 in the set up carton are secured together, and secured fiaps' 88 and 89, and 91 and 92 overlie these flaps, the flaps cannot be unfolded substantially beyond the point at which they extend substantially perpendicular to the carton side walls, to thus fix the bottom in proper position, and at the same time provide a strong bottom.

The described arrangement of the parts permits automatic formation of the bottom of a carton which has more than four sides, and provides a multi-layer bottom which is strong and prevents leakage. Further, to enhance strength of the bottom and insure against leakage, hexagonal liner 32 may be placed above the bottom, as previously related.

Modified body construction The hinged connection between flaps 88 and 89, and 91 and92, with the hinged portion 116 on flap 91, and the hinged portion 118 on flap 88, may be changed without affecting the principle of the construction, by form ing such hinged portion on either flap 89 or 92 or on both. For example, in Figs. 20 to 24, inclusive, the fold line 106a is formed on flap 89a rather than on flap 88a, the latter mentioned flaps corresponding in position to flaps 88 and 89 of the preceding modification. In Fig. 21, the hinged portion 118a is shown being folded backward, and under the body of flap 89a. In Fig. 22, flaps 88a and 89a are shown folded upwardly along line 93. Fig. 23 shows how the blank is folded over so that panel 72 overlies panel 73, and panel 71 overlies panel 74, hinged portion 118a to which glue has already been 8. applied, adhering to flap 8811.. Fig. 24 shows the structure of Fig. 23 partially broken away.

I claim:

l. A carton capable of being erected from a collapsed state having six hingedly connected side walls with three walls on each side of the collapsed carton and which in erected state form the cross sectional shape of a regular hexagon; and an automatically foldable bottom structure hingedly connected to said walls comprising a pair of bottom flaps hingedly connected to a pair of opposite central walls of the collapsed carton, one of said bottom flaps having a hingedly connected-end portion secured to the other bottom .fiap, each of said bottom flaps being of a width throughout not exceeding the width of said opposite parallel side walls, a pair of bottom flaps hingedly connected to each pair of end walls of the collapsed carton, one bottom flap of each of the latter pairs having a portion hingedly connected along an oblique fold line secured to the other bottom flap of such pair, each of said latter pairs of bottom flaps being unsecured to the bottom flaps connected to said central Walls, all of said bottom flaps lying between the sides of the collapsed carton, and the edges of each of said latter pairs of bottom flaps adjacent the central pair of bottom flaps being cut-away to a location adjacent their hinge connections with said end walls of the collapsed carton to provide gaps between such latter flaps and the adjacent edges of the central flaps.

2. The construction of claim 1 in blank form in which the respective pairs of bottom flaps are unsecured to each other, and extend'from said carton side walls in the plane thereof.

3. A carton capable of being erected automatically from collapsed state to completely erected state by inward pushing of opposite ends of the carton when in such collapsed state and which in the erected state has the cross sectional shape of a regular hexagon, said carton comprising in said collapsed state six hingedly connected side walls with three walls on each side of the collapsed carton; and an automatically foldable bottom structure hingedly connected to said walls comprising a central pair of bottom flaps hingedly connected to a pair of opposite central walls of the collapsed carton, one of said bottom flaps having a hingedly connected end portion secured to the other bottom flap, each of said bottom flaps being of a width throughout not exceeding the width of said central walls and of a length less than the distance between said central walls in the erected state of the carton, a pair of end bottom flaps hingedly connected to each pair of end walls of the collapsed carton, ,an end flap of each end pair having a portion hingedly connected along an oblique fold line secured to the other end flap of such pair, each of said end flaps being unsecured to the central flaps, all of said flaps lying between the sides of the collapsed carton, and the edges of all of said end flaps adjacent the central flaps being cut-away to a location adjacent their hinge connections with said end Walls of the collapsed carton to provide gaps between such-end flap edges and the ad- ]acent edges of the central flaps, whereby when the carton is erected from collapsed state by pushing inwardly the opposite ends of the collapsed carton the central flaps open first without interference from the end flaps and are on the outside of the carton bottom in the fully erected condition of the carton.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 340,915 Hurd Apr. 27, 1886 1,451,963 Scruby Apr. 17, 1923 2,044,103 Rossi June 16, 1936 2,517,552 Field Aug. 8, 1950 2,686,002 Inman Aug. 10, 1954 2,741,416 Hileman Apr. 19, 1956 

